This summer, Netflix is set to unleash some chilling entertainment as it prepares to debut the highly anticipated horror anime, “The Summer Hikaru Perished.” Alongside the second part of “Sakamoto Days” and Season 2 of “Dandadan,” Netflix has a new horror series based on Mokumokuren’s manga in store, which goes live on July 5th. “The Summer Hikaru Perished” is predicted to be one of the summer season’s biggest sensations. However, if the series manages to captivate audiences and secures a second season, it could encounter a significant challenge.
The story titled “The Summer Hikaru Died” started serialization in the seinen magazine “Young Ace Up” published by Kadokawa in August 2021. To date, 36 chapters have been made available, which have been translated and compiled into six volumes in English. As the series continues, additional chapters are expected to be released soon. However, some speculate that the excitement surrounding the series may have led Netflix to greenlight the anime adaptation prematurely.
The Summer Hikaru Died Is Still a Young Manga
Should the series “The Summer Hikaru Perished” prove popular, it’s likely fans will demand more episodes. However, there lies a significant challenge: the storyline of “The Summer Hikaru Perished” may not currently possess sufficient depth to support further seasons at this point.
The age-related issue with the “The Summer Hikaru Died” manga is due to its relatively short lifespan, having been in publication for just four years and not having many chapters released compared to most series. Typically, an anime adapts one or two chapters per episode, but this depends on the content within each chapter. Since “The Summer Hikaru Died” has a limited number of published chapters, it’s barely enough for a full 24-episode season. Unfortunately, even though it will be released in 12-episode seasons, this only postpones the problem.
In series like “One Piece” or “Solo Leveling”, there’s room for expansive action scenes due to their genre. However, in a story like “The Summer Hikaru Died”, the narrative focuses on everyday life and horror elements. Unlike other shows that might prolong tense moments with intense action sequences, this one swiftly moves through them. The terror isn’t derived from individual scenes but rather the recurring supernatural and unsettling events that gradually build suspense. This rapid pace and frequent eerie occurrences could pose a challenge for the show as it maintains its eerie atmosphere.
The Summer Hikaru Died Is a Very Slow-Paced Manga
In the realm of horror manga/anime, there exist two main categories. Some tales employ intense visuals that repeatedly shock the viewer with gruesome and grotesque pictures. On the contrary, others prefer to construct an atmosphere of persistent dread by gradually increasing tension without ever resolving it. The series “The Summer Hikaru Died” belongs to this latter group. Although it excels in creating a chilling horror experience, its primary disadvantage lies in its slower pace compared to the majority of stories within the genre.
The manga “The Summer Hikaru Perished” skillfully employs elements such as cicada sounds and the intense brightness and heat of summer to instill a feeling of discomfort. However, it is the deliberate slowing down of scenes that generates the most suspense, particularly during interactions between Yoshiki and Hikaru. If the forthcoming anime accurately replicates the manga’s pace, it would undoubtedly please fans of Mokumokuren’s work, given the drawn-out narrative style is a key aspect of “The Summer Hikaru Perished”‘s unique character. Yet, this slow tempo might also prove off-putting for casual viewers.
Previously, we noted that most anime series usually cover one to two chapters from the manga in each episode. However, due to the slower pace of The Summer Hikaru Died, it’s anticipated that the show will adapt around three chapters per episode to reach the 20-minute duration. This won’t pose a problem for the initial season, as there seems to be enough source material available. However, if The Summer Hikaru Died is renewed for additional seasons, which appears likely given the manga’s popularity, Netflix might encounter a significant issue. In today’s streaming era, studios are striving to release new seasons at a faster pace than before (Dandadan‘s fans have only had to wait about a year for Season 2). Yet, fans of The Summer Hikaru Died could potentially be waiting several years until enough chapters are published for a second season to become feasible.
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2025-06-10 04:10